Funding certainty for home helpers

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt today joined volunteers at Meals on Wheels to help prepare food for Hervey Bay residents who need a little extra help at home.

Mr Pitt said Fraser Community Meals on Wheels was one of many Hinkler organisations whose Federal Funding had been extended to 30 June 2018, to give service providers and their clients certainty while they transition to the new Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) arrangements.

From today, four Federal Government funding programs will amalgamate to become the CHSP.  They are Home and Community Care (HACC), National Respite for Carers (NRCP), Day Therapy Centres (DTC) and Assistance for Care and Housing for the Aged (ACHA).

“The Government will provide $1.6 billion each year for the next three years to more than 1,200 CHSP organisations across the country,” Mr Pitt said.

“This includes organisations like Fraser Community Meals on Wheels ($309,000 per year), Bundaberg and District Meals on Wheels ($157,000 per year), Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre ($327,000 per year) and Burrum Districts Respite Association ($218,000 per year).

“These organisations provide vital services, which enable elderly and disabled Hinkler residents to stay in their homes for as long as they choose.”

Mr Pitt said the Home Care Packages program would also be merged into the CHSP from 2018.

“We will also provide an additional $40 million to support providers with the transition to CHSP,” he said.

“CHSP providers will benefit from streamlined funding arrangements with less red tape and simplified grant agreements, giving them more time to deliver important services for older Australians.”

[ENDS]